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Evaluating process and effectiveness of a low-intensity CBT intervention for women with gynaecological cancer (the EPELIT Trial)
Get PDFBackground: Improving survival from gynaecological cancers is creating an increasing clinical challenge for long-term distress management. Psychologist-led interventions for cancer survivors can be beneficial, but are often costly. The rise of the Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) workforce in the UK might offer a cheaper, but equally effective, intervention delivery method that is more sustainable and accessible. We aimed to test the effectiveness of a PWP co-facilitated intervention for reducing depression and anxiety, quality of life and unmet needs.
Methods: We planned this trial using a pragmatic, non-randomised controlled design, recruiting a comparator sample from a second clinical site. The intervention was delivered over six-weekly sessions; data were collected from participants at baseline, weekly during the intervention, and at one-week and three-month follow-up. Logistical challenges meant that we only recruited 8 participants to the intervention group, and 26 participants to the control group.
Results: We did not find significant, between-group differences for depression, quality of life or unmet needs, though some differences at follow-up were found for anxiety (p<.001). Analysis of potential intervention mediator processes indicated the potential importance of self-management self-efficacy. Low uptake into the psychological intervention raises questions about (a) patient- driven needs for group-based support, and (b) the sustainability of this intervention programme.
Conclusions: This study failed to recruit to target; the under-powered analysis likely explains the lack of significant effects reported, though some trends in the data are of interest. Retention in the intervention group, and low attrition in the control group indicate acceptability of the intervention content and trial design; however a small baseline population rendered this trial infeasible in its current design. Further work is required to answer our research questions, but also, importantly, to address low uptake for psychological interventions in this group of cancer survivors
Ultraviolet light-induced collagen degradation inhibits melanoma invasion
Get PDFFrom Springer Nature via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2020-08-31, accepted 2021-04-08, registration 2021-04-11, online 2021-05-12, pub-electronic 2021-05-12, collection 2021-12Publication status: PublishedAbstract: Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) damages the dermis and fibroblasts; and increases melanoma incidence. Fibroblasts and their matrix contribute to cancer, so we studied how UVR modifies dermal fibroblast function, the extracellular matrix (ECM) and melanoma invasion. We confirmed UVR-damaged fibroblasts persistently upregulate collagen-cleaving matrix metalloprotein-1 (MMP1) expression, reducing local collagen (COL1A1), and COL1A1 degradation by MMP1 decreased melanoma invasion. Conversely, inhibiting ECM degradation and MMP1 expression restored melanoma invasion. Primary cutaneous melanomas of aged humans show more cancer cells invade as single cells at the invasive front of melanomas expressing and depositing more collagen, and collagen and single melanoma cell invasion are robust predictors of poor melanoma-specific survival. Thus, primary melanomas arising over collagen-degraded skin are less invasive, and reduced invasion improves survival. However, melanoma-associated fibroblasts can restore invasion by increasing collagen synthesis. Finally, high COL1A1 gene expression is a biomarker of poor outcome across a range of primary cancers
SDP-Based Robust Formation-Containment Coordination of Swarm Robotic Systems with Input Saturation
Get PDFFrom Springer Nature via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2020-08-24, accepted 2021-03-12, registration 2021-03-12, pub-electronic 2021-04-19, online 2021-04-19, pub-print 2021-05Publication status: PublishedFunder: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council; doi: https://doi.org/10.13039/501100000266; Grant(s): EP/R026084/1Funder: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council; doi: https://doi.org/10.13039/501100000266; Grant(s): EP/P01366X/1Funder: Horizon 2020; doi: https://doi.org/10.13039/501100007601; Grant(s): 899520Abstract: There are many potential applications of swarm robotic systems in real-world scenarios. In this paper, formation-containment controller design for single-integrator and double-integrator swarm robotic systems with input saturation is investigated. The swarm system contains two types of robots—leaders and followers. A novel control protocol and an implementation algorithm are proposed that enable the leaders to achieve the desired formation via semidefinite programming (SDP) techniques. The followers then converge into the convex hull formed by the leaders simultaneously. In contrast to conventional consensus-based formation control methods, the relative formation reference signal is not required in the real-time data transmission, which provides greater feasibility for implementation on hardware platforms. The effectiveness of the proposed formation-containment control algorithm is demonstrated with both numerical simulations and experiments using real robots that utilize the miniature mobile robot, Mona
An ecological approach to personality: Psychological traits as drivers and consequences of active perception
Get PDFFrom Wiley via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2020-07-13, rev-recd 2021-03-08, accepted 2021-03-12, pub-electronic 2021-04-03, pub-print 2021-05Article version: VoRPublication status: PublishedAbstract: The ecological approach to perception highlights how organisms engage in active perception and that the environment is understood relative to an individual's physical traits. Personality research draws attention to the variability in psychological traits that affect the way individuals differentially explore and anticipate the world. The current paper identifies compatibilities in these fields and suggests that personality both initiates and perpetuates the manner with which individuals engage in active perception. Personality traits both drive and limit perceptual refinement of the world and also lead to the construction of niches to suit personality. Here, we explore the benefits for considering individual differences in perception and active perception in regards to personality theory, comparative psychology, mental health, research methodology, and intervention. We conclude by encouraging both ecological and personality research to consider the benefits of understanding personality traits as mechanisms for initiating or constraining active perception
Recent Progress on Semiconductor-Interface Facing Clinical Biosensing
Get PDFFrom MDPI via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: accepted 2021-04-06, pub-electronic 2021-05-16Publication status: PublishedFunder: Army Research Office; Grant(s): W911NF-18-1-0458Funder: National Science Foundation; Grant(s): CHE-1832167, HRD-1700429Semiconductor (SC)-based field-effect transistors (FETs) have been demonstrated as amazing enhancer gadgets due to their delicate interface towards surface adsorption. This leads to their application as sensors and biosensors. Additionally, the semiconductor material has enormous recognizable fixation extends, high affectability, high consistency for solid detecting, and the ability to coordinate with other microfluidic gatherings. This review focused on current progress on the semiconductor-interfaced FET biosensor through the fundamental interface structure of sensor design, including inorganic semiconductor/aqueous interface, photoelectrochemical interface, nano-optical interface, and metal-assisted interface. The works that also point to a further advancement for the trademark properties mentioned have been reviewed here. The emergence of research on the organic semiconductor interface, integrated biosensors with Complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible, metal-organic frameworks, has accelerated the practical application of biosensors. Through a solid request for research along with sensor application, it will have the option to move forward the innovative sensor with the extraordinary semiconductor interface structure
How can we engage mathematics ITE students with research?
Get PDFIn the Erasmus+ Research in Teacher Education (RiTE) project, student teachers are stimulated to use evidence from educational and scientific research to experiment and innovate their teaching and learning processes. In two case studies we use Engestrom’s expansive learning cycle. The first case study reports on the design and implementation of materials designed to enhance student teachers’ critical review of literature in the context of the post-graduate study that is incorporated within their teacher education. The second case study presents the design of collaborative lesson research that aims to foster authentic connections between school-based learning (teaching practice) and research that informs mathematics teaching and learning. We discuss the aims of research-informed mathematics teacher education at each site, demonstrate some of the approaches used and discuss tensions within the design and early implementation of the projects
The Operation of UAV Propulsion Motors in the Presence of High External Magnetic Fields
Get PDFFrom MDPI via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: accepted 2021-06-01, pub-electronic 2021-06-09Publication status: PublishedFunder: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council; Grant(s): EP/P009743/1The operation and maintenance of converter stations (also known as valve halls) in high voltage DC (HVDC) grids is a key element in long-term, reliable and stable operation, especially in inherently adverse offshore environments. However, the nature of the electromagnetic field environment inside HVDC valve halls presents a challenge for the operation of traditional off-shelf inspection robots. In this paper, the impact of the external magnetic field on the operation of an inspection UAV’s propulsion motors is assessed. An experimental method is proposed to simulate the maximum magnetic field interference to off-shelf UAV motors, which can be used to identify their suitability for use in HVDC valve halls inspection robots. The paper’s experimental results compare the performance of direct torque control and field-oriented control algorithms for propulsion motors under the influence of external magnetic flux. Under the influence of a 177 mT external magnetic field, it was found that using direct torque control, the motor rotational velocity steady-state error was up to 55%. With field-oriented control, the steady-state error was 0%, however the peak-to-peak current draw increased by up to 567%
Risk of COVID‐19 infection in adult patients with atopic eczema and psoriasis: a single‐centre cross‐sectional study
Get PDFFrom Wiley via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2021-03-02, accepted 2021-03-15, pub-electronic 2021-05-31Article version: VoRPublication status: Publishe
Design and finite element simulation of metal-core piezoelectric fiber/epoxy matrix composites for virus detection
Get PDFUndoubtedly, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has received the greatest concern with a global impact, and this situation will continue for a long period of time. Looking back in history, airborne transimission diseases have caused huge casualties several times. COVID-19 as a typical airborne disease caught our attention and reminded us of the importance of preventing such diseases. Therefore, this study focuses on finding a new way to guard against the spread of these diseases such as COVID-19. This paper studies the dynamic electromechanical response of metal-core piezoelectric fiber/epoxy matrix composites, designed as mass load sensors for virus detection, by numerical modelling. The dynamic electromechanical response is simulated by applying an alternating current (AC) electric field to make the composite vibrate. Furthermore, both concentrated and distributed loads are considered to assess the sensitivity of the biosensor during modelling of the combination of both biomarker and viruses. The design parameters of this sensor, such as the resonant frequency, the position and size of the biomarker, will be studied and optimized as the key values to determine the sensitivity of detection. The novelty of this work is to propose functional composites that can detect the viruses from changes of the output voltage instead of the resonant frequency change using piezoelectric sensor and piezoelectric actuator. The contribution of this detection method will significantly shorten the detection time as it avoids fast Fourier transform (FFT) or discrete Fourier transform (DFT). The outcome of this research offers a reliable numerical model to optimize the design of the proposed biosensor for virus detection, which will contribute to the production of high-performance piezoelectric biosensors in the future
Substantively Lowered Levels of Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) in Several Regions of the Human Brain in Parkinson’s Disease Dementia
Get PDFFrom MDPI via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: accepted 2021-08-23, pub-electronic 2021-08-25Publication status: PublishedFunder: Endocore Research Associates, NZ; Grant(s): 60147, 3626585; 3702766, JXU058, UOAX0815Funder: Maurice and Phyllis Paykel Trust; Grant(s): 3627036Funder: Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery; Grant(s): 9341-3622506Funder: Oakley Mental Health Research Foundation; Grant(s): 3456030; 3627092; 3701339; 3703253; 3702870Funder: Neurological Foundation of New Zealand; Grant(s): N/AFunder: Medical Research Council; Grant(s): MR/L010445/1 and MR/L011093/1Funder: Alzheimer’s Research UK; Grant(s): ARUK-PPG2014B-7Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is an essential trace nutrient required for the synthesis of coenzyme A (CoA). It has previously been shown that pantothenic acid is significantly decreased in multiple brain regions in both Alzheimer’s disease (ADD) and Huntington’s disease (HD). The current investigation aimed to determine whether similar changes are also present in cases of Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD), another age-related neurodegenerative condition, and whether such perturbations might occur in similar regions in these apparently different diseases. Brain tissue was obtained from nine confirmed cases of PDD and nine controls with a post-mortem delay of 26 h or less. Tissues were acquired from nine regions that show high, moderate, or low levels of neurodegeneration in PDD: the cerebellum, motor cortex, primary visual cortex, hippocampus, substantia nigra, middle temporal gyrus, medulla oblongata, cingulate gyrus, and pons. A targeted ultra–high performance liquid chromatography—tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) approach was used to quantify pantothenic acid in these tissues. Pantothenic acid was significantly decreased in the cerebellum (p = 0.008), substantia nigra (p = 0.02), and medulla (p = 0.008) of PDD cases. These findings mirror the significant decreases in the cerebellum of both ADD and HD cases, as well as the substantia nigra, putamen, middle frontal gyrus, and entorhinal cortex of HD cases, and motor cortex, primary visual cortex, hippocampus, middle temporal gyrus, cingulate gyrus, and entorhinal cortex of ADD cases. Taken together, these observations indicate a common but regionally selective disruption of pantothenic acid levels across PDD, ADD, and HD
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